When the evenings get colder, blankets are useful almost anywhere: by the fire, in front of the TV, on the bed. But they make good decorative accents in almost any season – especially when they have vibrant colors and patterns.
A large-format textile like a blanket "can add great interest to a bedroom," said Katie Ridder, the New York-based interior designer. "Most of the space is usually taken up by the bed, so it's a nice place to have nice fabrics."
Ms. Ridder changes blankets with the seasons – "cotton for summer and wool for winter," she said – and uses them frequently to add a touch of color to a room.
And because woolen blankets can last for decades, she has amassed a large collection over the years. “I have stacks of different sizes and colors in my closet,” she said, including a pair of herringbone blankets that she and her husband, architect Peter Pennoyer, received as a wedding gift 32 years ago.
"They're a little moth-eaten," she added. "But we still have them."
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How big does a blanket have to be when you put it on a bed? Ms. Ridder was tall enough to sit firmly on three sides of the mattress, although you could use a smaller blanket as a throw at the foot of the bed.
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Can a blanket replace a duvet? In the summer, Ms. Ridder often uses a plain cotton blanket instead of a duvet. In the winter, a light wool blanket can be placed between a top sheet and a comforter, she said, or a heavier one could replace the comforter.
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What should you do with old blankets that have holes in them? "I like to make decorative pillows out of it," said Ms. Ridder.
Pismo organic blanket
Organic cotton blanket with a geometric pattern
Organic cotton blanket with geometric pattern; From $ 98 at Coyuchi: 888-418-8847 or coyuchi.com
Crater Lake National Park ceiling
Rug woven in the Pacific Northwest
From $ 269 at Pendleton: 877-996-6599 or pendleton-usa.com
Blanket for positive vibrations
Fringed blanket made from recycled clothing
$ 108 at Trek Light Gear: treklightgear.com
Recycled wool blanket in Buchanan Antique Tartan
Blanket made from recycled wool and other fibers
$ 66 from Tartan Blanket Co .: 011-44-131-516-9229 or tartanblanketco.com
Moroccan pom pom blanket
Black striped wool blanket with oversized pompoms
$ 545 at L’Aviva Home: 212-625-9605 or lavivahome.com
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